U.S. Ends Cooperation with Russia on Syrian Civil War

About 100 people shout slogans as they gather outside the Russian embassy on October 9, 2015 in Washington, DC. to protest against President Vladamir Putin and his country's involvement in Syria. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla)

The U.S. state department announced on Monday that talks between the U.S. and Russia over the war in Syria have been halted. The decision marks another blow to the year-long effort to reach a ceasefire in the Syrian civil war. Meanwhile, in what U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter called “nuclear sabre-rattling,” Russia suspended its deal with the U.S. over the disposing of surplus plutonium. That agreement was made in 2000 by the two countries in hopes of reducing their nuclear stockpiles. We'll discuss mounting bilateral tensions with former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul.

Guests:

Michael McFaul, director, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University; former U.S. ambassador to Russia